Gum Disease and Infection
People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have gum disease
as people without diabetes. Both gum disease and gum infection are
common diabetes complications. The key is to have regular dental
checkups as well as a good home-care program.
Types
Of Problems
Causes
Of Gum Disease
Prevention
Of Gum Disease
Treatment
Of Gum Disease
When
To Call Your Dentist
How
To Care For Your Teeth And Gums
Types Of Problems
Thrush is a
yeast infection in the mouth that causes white spots on the tongue.
It may cause soreness or a burning sensation in the mouth and may
be the result of an increase in the amount of sugar in the saliva.
Treatment includes prescription medications such as rinses, ointments,
lozenges, or pills.
Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is a lack of saliva that makes
eating and speaking more difficult and can cause a bad taste and
odor. Dry mouth also results in a large increase in cavities. It
can be treated with prescriptive fluoride gels or rinses, or artificial
saliva. Nonprescription techniques include chewing sugar-free gum,
eating candy, or drinking water.
- High
blood sugar affects the small blood vessels of the gums, reducing
blood flow to the gum tissue. This contributes to gum disease
and slower healing.
- Due
to poorly functioning white blood cells, people with diabetes
have difficulty fighting off infections in the mouth.
- Diabetes
can lead to a condition known as dry mouth, which is a decrease
in saliva. This can lead to infections and an increase in cavities.
- A higher level of sugar in the saliva may attract destructive bacteria.
Gum disease
is completely preventable. You just have to keep your gums healthy
by keeping plaque and calculus (abnormal, solid mass) out of your
mouth.
For healthy gums, do the following:
- brush after meals
- brush everything: your teeth, your gums, your tongue
- floss daily
- have a thorough dental exam and cleaning every six months
- tell your dentist you have diabetes
- avoid foods high in concentrated sugar
- don't smoke
- keep blood sugar in good control
Treatment of gum disease may be as simple as routine dental cleanings every six months. If the plaque buildup is more severe, a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing may be necessary. In severe cases, a periodontist (a dental specialist concerned with gum problems) may be required to treat the gum disease.
Call your dentist if you notice any of the following:
- bleeding gums when eating or brushing teeth
- painful teeth when eating or drinking anything hot or cold
- any loose teeth, sores, patches, or ulcers in the mouth
- dentures that don't fit properly
How To Care For Your Teeth And Gums?
- dental exam every six months
- use a soft nylon toothbrush with rounded ends on its bristles
- brush where the teeth meet the gums
- brush the outside surfaces of the teeth in short back-and-forth strokes. Do the same for the backs of the teeth and chewing surfaces
- brush the rough upper surface of the tongue
- use dental floss between your teeth daily
- avoid foods high in concentrated sugars
- daily denture care, if needed
- keep blood sugar in good control
- do not smoke